Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON THE DEATH OF MRS. JENNINGS, by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Tis past: dear venerable shade, farewell Last Line: Who gave the dearest blessing I possess. Alternate Author Name(s): Aikin, Anna Letitia Subject(s): Death; Grandparents; Dead, The; Grandmothers; Grandfathers; Great Grandfathers; Great Grandmothers | ||||||||
'TIS past: dear venerable shade, farewel! Thy blameless life thy peaceful death shall tell. Clear to the last thy setting orb has run; Pure, bright, and healthy like a frosty sun: And late old age with hand indulgent shed Its mildest winter on thy favour'd head. For heaven prolong'd her life to spread its praise, And bless'd her with a patriarch's length of days. The truest praise was hers, a cheerful heart, Prone to enjoy, and ready to impart. An Israelite indeed, and free from guile, She show'd that piety and age could smile. Religion had her heart, her cares, her voice; 'Twas her last refuge, as her earliest choice. To holy Anna's spirit not more dear The church of Israel, and the house of prayer. Her spreading offspring of the fourth degree Fill'd her fond arms, and clasp'd her trembling knee. Matur'd at length for some more perfect scene, Her hopes all bright, her prospects all serene, Each part of life sustain'd with equal worth, And not a wish left unfulfill'd on earth, Like a tir'd traveller with sleep opprest, Within her children's arms she dropt to rest. Farewel! thy cherish'd image, ever dear, Shall many a heart with pious love revere: Long, long shall mine her honour'd memory bless, Who gave the dearest blessing I possess. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...KISS GRANDMOTHERS GOOD NIGHT by ANDREW HUDGINS KICKING THE LEAVES by DONALD HALL THE BOOK OF SCAPEGOATS by WAYNE KOESTENBAUM THE GREAT GRANDPARENTS by TED KOOSER ODE TO SPRING by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |
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